WEISER — The National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest and Festival ended in June and featured contestants from all over the country competing for cash prizes and belt buckles.

According to a news release from the festival organizers, the town of Weiser was filled with fiddle melodies from many talented musicians over the course of the festival.

The festival is held every third week of June. It is a time where people gather to celebrate the music genre of fiddling. The contestants came from all over the United States, and there were some from Japan and Italy.

The news release said the overall winner of the festival was Ridge Roberts of Granbury, Texas. Two local performers, Shelby Murdock of Blackfoot and Tessa Dalton of Idaho Falls, were the Twin Fiddling Adult National Champions.

Murdock and Dalton also placed third and fourth respectively in the young adult division of the competition.

Gary Schuh, National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest and Festival board president, said in the news release that the festival is a way to recognize the power of music.

“The National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest and Festival is not only a celebration of outstanding musicianship but also a testament to the power of music to bring people together and celebrate musical talents of people from across the nation and throughout the world,” he said in the news release.

Gary Hill, National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest and Festival board vice president, said in the news release that the town of Weiser is honored to hold the competition and festival and to have the talented musicians perform.

“We are thrilled to honor the remarkable talents of these fiddlers who have traveled to our beautiful and welcoming town of Weiser, Idaho, for the contest and festival,” he said in the news release.

Winners of each division were awarded with a cash prize and a belt buckle. The Grand National Champion was also awarded with a custom-embroidered jacket. The overall champion usually has opportunities to perform at music festivals across the country. Many past winners have gone on to have successful music careers.

The National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest and Festival has been around for the past 71 years. It has been something that people from all over the country and across the world have been able to enjoy.

More information about the National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest and Festival can be found on their website at fiddlecontest.org.